New Paper USB Drive Could Have Flat Vending Potential

A new paper technology might hold potential for bulk vending's "flat" category. The recently introduced swivelCard provides business cards -- and presumably other substrates -- with the capability to act as a USB drive. The swivelCard folds to create an inexpensive USB or thumb drive that can hold data or direct traffic to a website.

The manufacturer says the cards are easily programmable and inexpensive. Promoted as smart business cards, paper-thin swivelCard technology could allow bulk vending operators to offer everything from music to access to premium websites.

The company is conducting a crowdfunding campaign at Kickstarter and hopes to begin shipments in the fall.